This way it wouldn't dry out. I then went to bed, knowing I would not reopen it until after work the next day. 24 hours later I cautiously took the lid off, expecting a bad smell and an ecosystem in decay. But this was not what happened. First, it was quite odorless and looked - from a distance - otherwise the same. On looking in through the stereosocope at 30x, the water was much more clear and the population had just exploded.
There were small mite-looking creatures everywhere, each with an attractive single red eye. Large tic like arachnids with enormous blown-glass abdomens were all dragging themselves over the water surface. Gads of new critters in every size and shape flitted about. Some round or oval, streamlined and hydroid. Fat-middled inchworm looking creatures appeared to be walking along invisible glass surfaces that magically appeared in whatever direction they chose to crawl. Large oval, fast moving hard-shelled creatures with attractive patterns zipped in and out of view in an instant, occasionally stopping just long enough to show off the working of some inner motor.
![Very Happy :D](./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif)
Well this really is turning out to be fun! Thanks Aaron for helping me put this whole thing together. I can't wait for the flash and off shoe cord to arrive.
Anyway, my question. If I can ask anyone experienced with this, what should I expect with this little ecosytem? How long will it flourish before it begins to look more slum than thriving metropolis?
Nick